Page 94 of Wild Mistake
I’m halfway through the letters when my cell rings. I reach across the bed and pick it up to find my cousin’s name flash across the screen. I consider not answering. I’m not great company at the moment. But then I think of all the times he’s picked up when I called.
“Hey, Will. Everything good?”
“You tell me. You haven’t been by the store in over a week.”
“Yeah, well. As you like to remind me, I don’t work there.” I try for a joke but it falls flat.
“What’s going on?”
“Sarah broke up with me.”
“Again?”
I groan and scrub a hand down my beard. “I know. You think I’d have learned my lesson and stayed away. I guess that makes me an idiot.”
“That’s fucking bullshit and we both know it.”
“Yeah, well . . .” I don’t know what to say.
“Get dressed. I’m coming by to pick you up within the hour.”
“Will, you don’t have to babysit me. I’m fine. Promise. Just having a little wallow through my poor life choices.”
“That sounds like an activity where beer is involved. So get your ass dressed because we’re playing hooky and getting day drunk.”
Despite my sour mood, I smile. “You are not closing the store early to drink with me.”
“The fuck I’m not.” He pauses and there’s a shuffle through the line. “I just made a sign and stuck it to the front door. I’m sorry, Aiden, but I’m the owner of this shop and I make the rules. You have to drink with me now.”
“You aren’t going to let this go, are you?”
“I’ll march up to your room and drag you out of that cabin myself.”
I’d like to see him try. I laugh at the idea. “Fine. I’ll get dressed. But we’re sticking to beer and there better be food involved.”
* * *
Four hoursand many drinks later, I’m feeling pretty damn good.
My cousin was right; alcohol does make everything better. That is, until I spot my sister marching toward us, Collin on her hip and a furious glint in her eyes.Oh, fuck.
“So, babies in bars?” I lean forward to boop my nephew on his cute little nose. “That’s a thing you’re doing?”
Maeve doesn’t smile at my joke. “I wouldn’t have to if you’d answer your damn phone.”
“Shit.”Did something happen with Pops? Fuck. “Sorry.”
“Is it true?”
“What?” I can’t tell if it’s the fact she looks just like Mom when she’s angry or that I’m drunk, but I’m having a hard time keeping up.
“You and Sarah broke up?”
Oh. That.My shoulders fall, sadness creeping back in my mind. “Yeah.”
“So, what are you doing to get her back?” She looks around the table at the collection of empty glasses. “Because this isn’t it.” She glares at our cousin. “And you’re not helping.”
“I’m here for moral support.”
